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Possible New Holiday Tradition For Philadelphia?

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: A man sells Roasted Chestnuts on Oxford Street on December 14, 2009 in London, England. High street stores are expecting a bumper Christmas this years despite the economic dowturn, with shoppers spending around 120M GBP in the past two days alone. (Credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

By Mike Dunn

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Anyone who visits Manhattan around the holidays knows the smell: food carts roasting chestnuts. It’s a tradition of sorts in the Big Apple, but not so in Philadelphia.

An unscientific survey of food carts and food trucks around City Hall found not a single vendor selling roasted chestnuts.

Newsradio did find one food truck owner who was familiar with the New York tradition.

Matthew Feldman owns the Lucky Old Souls food truck that stops a few times a week at Love Park.

“I’m actually from the New York area originally, so I know exactly what you’re talking about. It’s not something I ever thought to do, but it’s not a bad idea. It’s one of those smells that means Christmas in New York. And I guess it could mean Christmas in Philly, too,” Feldman says.

A Health Department spokesman says there’s nothing on the books that stops vendors from roasting chestnuts, so perhaps Feldman or another owner can start a new Philadelphia tradition.

HOLIDAY GUIDE

Mike Dunn is City Hall bureau chief for KYW Newsradio 1060. He covers the mayor, City Council, and every other aspect of the city’s political landscape.
Mike has been with KYW since 1990. His reporting specialties have also included keeping an eye...